Master's in International Cooperation in Ocean Sciences
This master's prepares you to lead international ocean research and conservation projects. You will study global ocean governance and science diplomacy, physical oceanography and ocean observing systems, marine ecology and global change, the 30x30 conservation framework, the sustainable blue economy and the funding of marine science, international fisheries, transboundary pollution and the technologies that make shared ocean science possible.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this program gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The program is designed precisely for that.
What is the Master's in International Cooperation in Ocean Sciences?
This master's prepares you to lead international ocean research and conservation projects. You will learn how the UN Ocean Decade, IOC-UNESCO, UNCLOS and the BBNJ Agreement shape marine scientific research, how global observing networks such as GOOS and Argo work, how to design transboundary marine protected areas and marine spatial planning, how to structure funding through multilateral funds, blue bonds and blue carbon, and how to coordinate multidisciplinary, intercultural teams, preparing you for roles in international organizations, research centers, public administration and NGOs.
What sets this master's apart: it bridges ocean science and international cooperation, from the physics of the ocean to the diplomacy that allows countries to research it together; it covers the most recent frameworks, such as the BBNJ Agreement, the Kunming-Montreal 30x30 target and the UN plastics treaty; it gives practical weight to proposal writing, consortium management and open FAIR data; it places equity, local and Indigenous knowledge and ocean literacy at the center; and it ends with a Final Project in which you design a complete international cooperation program in ocean sciences.
Program highlights
- Science diplomacy: the UN Ocean Decade, IOC-UNESCO, UNCLOS and the BBNJ Agreement applied to marine research.
- Ocean observation: GOOS, Argo floats, gliders, satellites and international data exchange.
- Conservation at scale: transboundary marine protected areas, marine spatial planning and the 30x30 target.
- Blue finance: multilateral funds, blue bonds, debt-for-nature swaps and blue carbon projects.
- Shared technology: research vessels, digital twins of the ocean, AI and open FAIR data.
- Final Project: the design of an international cooperation program in ocean sciences.
Syllabus of the Master's in International Cooperation in Ocean Sciences
11 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Global Ocean Governance and Science Diplomacy
- 1.1. The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and its strategic goals
- 1.2. The institutional framework of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC-UNESCO)
- 1.3. UNCLOS and marine scientific research
- 1.4. Principles and practice of science diplomacy in marine and coastal settings
- 1.5. The BBNJ Agreement and research cooperation in international waters
- 1.6. Multilateral bodies and regional forums: FAO, IMO, UNEP and UNEP-MAP
- 1.7. Access, transfer of marine technology and global capacity building
- 1.8. Scientific sovereignty, research permits and coastal state jurisdiction
- 1.9. The geopolitics of ocean knowledge and North-South equity in science
- 1.10. Multilateral conservation treaties: CBD, CITES, CMS and Ramsar
Physical Oceanography, Global Climate and Ocean Observation
- 2.1. Global ocean circulation and heat transport in the climate system
- 2.2. The Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and international monitoring networks
- 2.3. Ocean-atmosphere interaction, ENSO, the NAO and climate prediction
- 2.4. Satellite oceanography and international observation missions
- 2.5. Autonomous buoys, the Argo network and ocean gliders
- 2.6. Numerical climate modeling and sea level rise projections
- 2.7. Extreme marine events: tsunamis, storm surges and global early warning systems
- 2.8. International exchange of ocean data: IODE-UNESCO and interoperability standards
- 2.9. Effects of warming on stratification, deoxygenation and ocean chemistry
- 2.10. Polar observing networks and cooperation in the Arctic and Antarctic
Marine Ecology, Acidification and Global Change
- 3.1. Global marine ecosystems, ecological connectivity and biodiversity distribution
- 3.2. Seawater carbon chemistry and global acidification monitoring (GOA-ON)
- 3.3. Impacts of global change on coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass meadows
- 3.4. Deep-sea ecology, seamounts and abyssal ecosystems
- 3.5. Pelagic food webs, primary productivity and biological carbon uptake
- 3.6. Assessing marine ecosystem health with international indicators
- 3.7. Marine invasive species: introduction pathways and global response networks
- 3.8. Harmful algal blooms and transboundary monitoring networks
- 3.9. Vulnerable marine ecosystems and international protection measures
- 3.10. Ecological resilience models and large-scale habitat restoration
International Marine Conservation, Protected Areas and the 30x30 Framework
- 4.1. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the 30x30 target
- 4.2. Design and transboundary management of marine protected areas
- 4.3. Transboundary marine spatial planning and ecological zoning
- 4.4. International MPA networks and marine biological corridors
- 4.5. Area-based conservation and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs)
- 4.6. Satellite and digital monitoring of high-seas marine reserves
- 4.7. Participatory ecological restoration and community engagement
- 4.8. Transboundary environmental impact assessment under the BBNJ Agreement
- 4.9. Conservation of migratory marine megafauna: cetaceans, turtles and sharks
- 4.10. International conservation funding: the Global Environment Facility (GEF)
Sustainable Blue Economy and Finance for Marine Science
- 5.1. Principles of the sustainable blue economy and ocean sustainability indicators
- 5.2. Economic valuation of marine ecosystem services and environmental accounting
- 5.3. Multilateral funds: the Green Climate Fund, the World Bank and regional banks
- 5.4. Blue bonds and debt-for-nature swaps for ocean conservation
- 5.5. Developing blue carbon projects in coastal ecosystems
- 5.6. Public-private funding models for ocean research and innovation
- 5.7. Preparing and managing proposals for international funding programs
- 5.8. Cost-benefit assessment of shared marine research infrastructure
- 5.9. Financial sustainability of marine stations and research institutes in developing countries
- 5.10. Impact investment in sustainable aquaculture, marine renewables and biotechnology
International Fisheries Management and Sustainable Aquaculture
- 6.1. The FAO framework for responsible fisheries and the Code of Conduct
- 6.2. Regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) and shared stocks
- 6.3. Fish stock assessment and maximum sustainable yield
- 6.4. Multilateral strategies against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing
- 6.5. The Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA)
- 6.6. International technical cooperation for sustainable aquaculture
- 6.7. Seafood traceability and sustainability certification (MSC, ASC)
- 6.8. Reducing bycatch and impacts on benthic ecosystems
- 6.9. Climate change and the redistribution of global fish stocks
- 6.10. Small-scale fisheries: the FAO Voluntary Guidelines and food sovereignty
Transboundary Marine Pollution and Marine Litter
- 7.1. Governance to prevent marine pollution: MARPOL and the London Convention
- 7.2. The UN global plastics treaty and its scientific implications
- 7.3. Transport and accumulation of plastics and microplastics in ocean gyres
- 7.4. Monitoring persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals
- 7.5. Coastal eutrophication, nutrient discharges and transboundary dead zones
- 7.6. International response to major oil and hazardous substance spills
- 7.7. Technologies for detecting, sampling and removing marine litter
- 7.8. Circular economy to reduce plastic inputs in fishing and boating
- 7.9. Risk assessment of anthropogenic underwater noise
- 7.10. International citizen science networks for coastal pollution monitoring
Technological Innovation, Research Vessels and Digital Twins
- 8.1. Shared management and operation of research vessels and major infrastructure
- 8.2. Developing Digital Twins of the Ocean (DTO)
- 8.3. Underwater robotics in cooperation: ROVs, AUVs and autonomous surface vehicles
- 8.4. Artificial intelligence and big data to integrate multidisciplinary marine data
- 8.5. Low-cost sensors and open technologies to democratize ocean science
- 8.6. Underwater communication networks, marine IoT and real-time transmission
- 8.7. Supercomputing for global ocean and climate simulation
- 8.8. Open science data platforms and the FAIR principles
- 8.9. Marine biotechnology and environmental DNA (eDNA) sequencing
- 8.10. Cybersecurity in ocean data acquisition systems and critical infrastructure
Inclusion, Local Knowledge and Ocean Science Communication
- 9.1. Integrating Indigenous and local knowledge into ocean research
- 9.2. Inclusive governance, gender equity and diversity in marine science
- 9.3. Co-producing knowledge with coastal communities and stakeholders
- 9.4. Ocean literacy and marine education for behavior change
- 9.5. Science communication strategies to influence marine policy
- 9.6. Marine citizen science: designing participatory projects and validating data
- 9.7. Ethics in international marine research and coastal environmental justice
- 9.8. Preventing and managing social conflict in conservation projects
- 9.9. Environmental journalism on ocean issues
- 9.10. Early career ocean professional networks (ECOPs) and leadership in cooperation
International Project Management and Funding for Ocean Science
- 10.1. European marine research programs
- 10.2. Horizon Europe and the Ocean Mission
- 10.3. North-South scientific cooperation
- 10.4. Writing competitive proposals
- 10.5. Managing international consortia
- 10.6. Data management and open science
- 10.7. Transfer of marine technology
- 10.8. Capacity building
- 10.9. Assessing scientific impact
- 10.10. International project proposal
Final Project
- 11.1. Selecting a global or regional ocean science problem and justifying cooperation
- 11.2. Diagnosing the applicable legal, political and institutional framework
- 11.3. Logical framework, objectives, expected results and impact indicators
- 11.4. Shared data acquisition and management plan under open and FAIR principles
- 11.5. Technology transfer, capacity building and regional equity strategy
- 11.6. Stakeholder, local community and gender engagement plan
- 11.7. Financial feasibility, multi-institution budget and fundraising strategy
- 11.8. Political, operational, environmental and ethical risk management plan
- 11.9. Drafting the full project document to international agency standards
- 11.10. Executive presentation and oral defense before an assessment panel
Duration and format of the Master's in International Cooperation in Ocean Sciences
It is 1,500 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Master's in International Cooperation in Ocean Sciences
Career opportunities after the Master's in International Cooperation in Ocean Sciences
Questions about the Master's in International Cooperation in Ocean Sciences
It combines both, applying marine science to international cooperation for the sustainable development of the ocean.
It is recommended, but graduates in other sciences, engineering or social sciences and professionals with cooperation experience can also enroll. The admission interview confirms that your profile fits.
The UN Ocean Decade, IOC-UNESCO, UNCLOS, the BBNJ Agreement, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, FAO instruments, MARPOL and the UN plastics treaty, among others.
Yes. The program covers multilateral funds, European research programs and the drafting and management of competitive proposals and international consortia.
No. The program is online; it is based on case studies, real open datasets and project design work.
You design an international cooperation program in ocean sciences, from the problem and logical framework to data plans, budget, risk management and an oral presentation to an assessment panel.
The master's is taught entirely online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, recorded live sessions and tutorials. It comprises 1500 hours of study across 11 modules of about 136 hours each, and you progress at your own pace within the schedule you are given on enrollment.
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Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at maritime and environmental professionals who want to drive conservation and sustainable development projects, marine biologists, oceanographers and environmental scientists, project managers at NGOs and government agencies, fisheries and aquaculture professionals committed to sustainable practices, and graduates in science, engineering or social sciences seeking a career in international ocean cooperation. A degree in marine sciences, marine biology, oceanography, environmental engineering or a related field, or proven professional experience in international cooperation or ocean sciences, is recommended.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera for live sessions and project presentations.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrollmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enroll
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.